Middle Ages Research Project

Logan Montemayor

Encounters 6

Ms. Damante

March 24, 2022

                                           The Darkness of the Middle Ages

Introduction

We all know of knights and stuff of the medieval times, but how did people become knights, what is the feudal system; and what was the Black Death and how did it cause a big event in history? Feudalism is like the laws and stuff today, but different. The Black Death was a disease that killed millions of people. And how a knight became a knight. So we shall dive into the middle ages and see the good times, and dark times of the middle ages with Feudalism, the Black Death, and how to become a knight.

Feudalism

The Feudalism system began in Europe during the medieval times. How Feudalism worked is that a small community would live on the local lord's land, and they would do services for the lord; in exchange for safety and a place to live. When the peasants did their services, the lord would also give the king their taxes.

The peasants couldn’t avoid Feudalism; unless they lived on nobody's land, because the local lord owned everything in an area, the land, the villages, the crops, and the peasants themselves. Even though the taxes were given to the king; the lords, or barons still owned that real estate, they made their own money still, and did their taxes still, and for protecting the peasants for the king, they requested military service from the vassal.

The reason why the Feudalism System was made was because it even things out; just like how it goes the king is on top and controls the area, then it goes to the lord/barron who owns the land and protects the peasants, then it passes down to the vassal; the vassal would go to the lords court meetings, and help the lord state justice; and give money to the lord if needed, be requested to battle when necessary, and would bring the right number of men for battle. The vassal also fed the lord, and his company. However the lord also had some duties he also had to protect the vassal, give the vassal military aid, and protect his/her children; if the vassal had a daughter, he would arrange the daughter’s wedding.

Another effect during Feudalism is that the kings had more power back then, but women had basically zero rights; they could not get a divorce on their own, nor choose who they married. Serfs were not slaves, he was bounded to the king for life, he could not get married without permission from the king, he could not own land, nor leave without permission from the king; unless he could chose to run away, if he could stay in another village for one year and one day; he was a free man and no longer a serf.

Feudalism is not really a thing anymore; but when you think about it, the jobs people did in the medieval times are basically the same thing today, but there is no king, nor lord to protect us, nor give us land.

The Black Death 

The Black Death was caused by the organism named the Yersinia Pestis which was carried by rats, and fleas. The victim of this horrible disease was that black spots would appear on the body; these black spots did damage to the underlying skin, and tissue. People call it the plague, or the Black Death is because of the black spots that appear on the human body. The cure for this horrible disease was unknown, and due to this many people suffered through this disease, but luckily the Black Death happened during the fourteenth century.

The Black Death made its way to Europe during the fourteenth century from southern I Russia to the east, and then the middle east. Another way people got sick from the Black Death is because; just like covid when you get too close to each other, you will get the virus too. The Black Death lasted 3-4 years, and almost killed everyone in Europe with a dramatic 75 million people died to the black death during those 3-4 years.

The Black Death had three variations of affects, first there was the bubonic variant [one of the most common effects of the plague] got it’s name because of it’s swellings, or buboes that appear on the victim’s neck, armpit, or groan, it had a mortality rate of 30-75 percent. The second variety is pneumonic plague; unlike its cousin the Bubonic plague, it was more violent, it was also common it spreaded by victim to victim. The way it spreads is by a victim breathing into someone who has it, then in 1-2 days it will attack the blood line; with no defenses the victim will panic, and soon fall to the effects of the plague, this one had a 90-95 mortality rate. The last one was the rarest septicaemic variety; this version almost had a 100 percent mortality rate; the septicaemic plague would sometimes change the color of the victim's skin to  a deep, purple, or extremely high fever. 

And the best for last, the most important reason why the Black Death spread so quickly; is because of witches. Witches were actually just smart women, who used a broom to clean, and a cat to get rid of rodents like rats. However women back then were actually supposed to play dumb, because men of the church would see them as danger, so they would behead them; but the cats they killed left through right. Because of this there were fewer cats, but however the Black Plague was carried by rodents, and due to less cats; that’s how the black plague spreaded quicker, due to the lack of rats killed.

Becoming A Knight

We all know what knights are, but how did they get the honor of becoming a knight?

Most knights came from rich families, but by the time they were 7; they were sent to the father’s lord, and he would become a page. A page would work with other pages and run errands, act as servants, but importantly learn good manners, and social skills. He was also taught to read and write, and physical activities to be prepared for knighthood.

When at the age thirteen or fourteen he was now known as a squire; as a squire he did more training, riding and caring for the horses, practice archery, and practicing on a quintain. A quintain is what the squire practiced on while riding a horse, while doing this the squire would hold a lance, and practice using it on a quintain. Now if he doesn't make a perfect hit; the quintain will swing hit after hit, now if he was quick enough he can dodge the hit, but if not he will get striked. The squire would also give specific directions like serve the lord's company, work at the stables, or help as a body squire. The body squire would help his master in battle, like if his master was unhorsed, he would help him get back on, or help him find a safe spot to rest until safe again, but under no conditions the squire was not allowed in battle.  Even though he was still a squire when the squire was made an armiger he was introduced to manhood, and a celemony would commence, and a sword would be placed on his belt , showing a symbol that he was a warrior, and part of the noble class.

Even though some squires were not able to become a knight, most did. When at the age of twenty one he was officially a knight, and a ceremony which included an overnight vigil, a ritual bath, and an oath of loyalty. After the ceremony the knights training was over.

Conclusion 

You can see why there were dark times during the medieval ages, especially during the black death. Like how feudalism gave kings more power, and women no rights, or when most of Europe was wiped out by the black death. This was The Darkness of the Middle Ages.

Works Cited 

“Middle Ages Feudal System.” Ducksters. www.ducksters.com/history/middle_ages_feudal _system.php  

Accessed 22 February 2023. 

Ross, David. “Feudalism and Medieval Life.” Britain Express. www.britainexpress.com 

/History/Feudalism_and_Medieval_life.htm Accessed 7 February 2023.

”History Of Black Death.” All About History. allabouthistory.org/history-of-black-death.htm. Accessed 30 

January 2023.

”The Black Death 1348.” Eyewitness to History. www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/plague.htm. Accessed 31 

January 2023.

”Becoming A Knight.” Book source. drive.google.com/file/d/1DYIPuE99LCASXwqV 

P5cHnVtDn0aPnqf0/view. Accessed 31 January 2023.

”Becoming A Knight.” Medieval Life and Times Homes. www.medieval-life-and-times.info/medieva 

l-knights/becoming-a-knight.htm. Accessed 31 January 2023.